More NBA trades before the trade deadline  

Just a few hours after Washington dealt Caron Bulter to Dallas and Antawn Jamison to Cleveland which further boosted such teams, other teams such as the Houston Rockets and Charlotte Bobcats have also improved their rosters while the New York Knicks have made a major move which makes them a serious player for the 2010 free agency.

The biggest latest story so far was Tracy McGrady going to the New York Knicks. McGrady, who was sidelined for months with an injury, was sent to the New York Knicks which involved the Sacramento Kings in the process. For this season, the Rockets is obviously the winner as they got another scoring threat in Kevin Martin and at the same time have finally unloaded McGrady's heavy contract. The full deal involved McGrady (Houston) and Sergio Rodriguez (Sacramento) to New York, Martin (Sacramento), Larry Hughes, Jared Jeffries, and Jordan Hill (all from New York) to Houston along with a 2012 first round pick and the Rockets can also swap first round picks with New York in 2011, and Sacramento acquiring Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey from Houston. Long term wise, the Knicks could be the biggest winner in this deal provided that they get a quality pick in the free agency. How about this opportunity for the Knicks in the 2010 offseason: a lot of salary cap space and a good chance of landing at the top 10 in the NBA Draft. Big Apple pride will be back.

The Bobcats also solidified their push for the playoffs by acquiring Tyrus Thomas from the Chicago Bulls. This turned out to be a little bit of a shocker as the Bulls only got Ronald Murray, Acie Law, and a first round draft pick out of Thomas. Thomas will give the Bobcats more energy and athleticism, something they can compensate for the failed Tyson Chandler deal and gives Gerald Wallace another defensive ally. The bigger story is that the Bobcats outdid the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs who were all interested in the services of Thomas. Being the 3rd best in the NBA for allowing the least points per game, Charlotte could further improve their defenses with Thomas. The Bobcats is a major darkhorse in the East this season.

Aside from sending Tyrus Thomas to Charlotte, Chicago also sent forward John Salmons to Milwaukee for Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander. Salmons has been disappointing so far for the Bulls this season as his scoring is concerned. Playing for 51 games for the Bulls this season, Salmons only averaged 12 points per game, way below his usual averages. The Bulls however is also looking forward towards the free agency in 2010. Warrick and Alexander's contracts will be expiring at the end of the season which the Bulls could use in acquiring key free agents. Now that Thomas is gone, the Bulls are down to only a few players to build on. Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah plus a probable free agency pick will make the Bulls a formidable team next season.

In addition to John Salmons, the Bucks also acquired Primoz Brezec, re-acquired Royal Ivey and a second round pick from the 2010 Draft from the Philadelphia 76ers for center Francisco Elson and rookie Jodie Meeks.